Thomas More and Adrian College sit atop the Big Rivers Conference after both teams won over the weekend.

Thomas More beat Iowa Central CC 38-26 in a clash of two of the conference contenders. This was a hugely physical game and the Saints suffered a few injuries as a result. The Tritons ramped up the physicality early but Thomas More handled it well enough. It was 24-14 at halftime and the Saints held on from there.

The key for Thomas More was to be tough and patient as Iowa Central defended well and were strong in the tackle. An intercept try from Ta'veon Veal sealed the deal, while flanker Santiago Perez Zorraquin was active throughout, making big tackles, playing support, and, chiefly, getting out of breakdowns quickly to be in the action again. 

Adrian won 64-23 over Aquinas. This is the first year for Aquinas and they are working their way toward the level of the rest of these teams. So this is a brave thing Aquinas is doing, playing in the Big Rivers, while many varsity programs or almost-varsity programs have tried to go slowly through the divisions. Aquinas jumped in head-first.

Marian Edges Wheeling

The Marian Knights beat Wheeling in a tough one 23-21. Wheeling led 21-13 with only four minutes to go, but a penalty edged Marian closer. From the restart Marian recycled well but didn't get anywhere. Wheeling was defending fairly well and probably wa sin a position to run out the clock that way. But they got overeager and were offside. Flyhalf Tommaso Lorenzetti's kick for touch was kept in play and Wheeling had another shot to run out the clock. But the Marian forwards swarmed in and rucked Wheeling off the ball to get it back. Still Wheeling got out of it. A fumbled pass and a penalty gave Wheeling a chance to close out the game.

But hooker Daniel Riecke forced a holding-on penalty to get Marian the ball back. This time they kicked to touch successfully, won the lineout, and the forwards worked close to the line. Wheeling was penalized and Riecke tapped and bulled over under the posts. Lorenzetti popped over the conversion and Marian had the win.